China Appoints Envoy To Kabul, Resumes Diplomatic Ties

<p><strong>New Delhi: </strong>China on Wednesday officially named it's ambassador to Afghanistan, making it the first country to appoint an envoy there since Taliban took control of the country in 2021.&nbsp; Hailing the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, the Taliban on Wednesday said it is a significant development in bilateral diplomatic relations and added that it is a sign for other countries to come forward and establish relations with them.</p> <p>According to a report by news agency AP, Chinese ambassador Zhao Sheng was greeted by uniformed troops on his arrival and he met top-ranking Taliban officials, including Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who heads the administration and Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.</p> <p>&ldquo;The introduction of the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan Mr. Zhao Sheng and the official presentation of credentials to the Prime Minister is a significant development in bilateral diplomatic relations. In Afghanistan-China relations, the question of informality is not much discussed anymore. The Chinese ambassador told the Assembly today that his country is interested in strengthening relations with Afghanistan,&rdquo; the Taliban government said in a statement.</p> <p>Foreign Affairs Minister Muttaqi said China and Afghanistan shared special ties and Zhao&rsquo;s nomination was a &ldquo;significant step with a significant message,&rdquo; reported AP.</p> <p>&ldquo;It also signals to other countries to come forward and interact with the Islamic Emirate. We should establish good relations as a result of good interactions and, with good relations, we can solve all the problems that are in front of us or coming in the future,&rdquo; Taliban&rsquo;s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told the news agency.</p> <p>He, however, did not answer questions on what Zhao's presence meant for the Taliban's demand for official recognition.</p> <p>It is to be noted that the Taliban seized power in 2021 as US-led NATO forces withdrew after two decades of war. Since then, the Taliban leaders have been put under sanctions and no country recognizes them as Afghanistan&rsquo;s legitimate rulers.</p> <p>Afghanistan&rsquo;s seat at the United Nations is still held by the former government which was led by Ashraf Ghani.</p>

from world https://ift.tt/RtMP9U8
via IFTTT